Barrington’s Blue House to close doors

Grassroots will reopen May 1 at new location on Park Avenue next to Roots 2 General Store

By STEPHANIE KOHL -
Barrington Life Contributor

April 17, 2013

Caption

The Blue House on Cook Street will be closing its doors at the end of the month.

BARRINGTON – Area residents will see some changes in coming weeks to the shops on Cook Street in Barrington.

After a little more than two years in business, The Blue House, 205 S. Cook St., plans to close its doors by the end of the month.

“It was a tough decision, but when we weighed everything out, it was the right decision,” said Anna Subich, who owns the shop with her mother and grandmother.

Items at The Blue House help people from around the world in impoverished areas (many of these items are fair trade), help local artists from the Barrington area, or are made in the U.S. The Blue House won’t disappear entirely, as an online shop will remain at www.thebluehousebarrington.com.

The store’s going out of business sale has items marked up to 35 percent off. When the doors close, remaining items in the store will be added to the online inventory. Subich said owners were grateful to the customers who shopped at the store over the years.

“We’ve enjoyed getting to know you all,” she said. “It’s been a blessing. Thank you so much for helping support local artists, fair trade and just being our friends.”

Grassroots, 205 S. Cook St., also will close its doors at the month’s end, but will reopen May 1 at its new location at 211 Park Ave., next door to the Roots 2 General Store. Grassroots will remain open through the duration of the move.

“We’ll be able to walk from one store to the other inside,” said Todd Rhodes, who owns the two stores with his wife Joy.

Grassroots carries apparel for the entire family, as well as everyday household items. It supports local products and artists. The current location is between 650 and 700 square feet and the new location will be about 1,500 square feet.

“I’m excited,” Rhodes said. “I’m excited for what I think we’ll provide Barrington. We will maintain and grow every department in the store.”

With the additional space, Rhodes said the skateboarding department will be featured in its own room and the shop will expand to carry gift and vintage home items. The shoes, boots and sandals offerings will also be expanded.

“All of our displays will be available for sale and most of them are one-of-a-kind,” he said.

Roots 2 General Store has been open since Thanksgiving 2012 and offers items like craft wines, beers, sauces and more.